Afrobeats Week On 1Xtra

From the streets of Accra to the clubs in Abuja, shops in South Africa to the public transport in Kenya comes a new genre of music that is thumping in clubs worldwide - Afrobeats. If you like music that is different, unique, organic yet modern, with no boundaries, energetic and fused with modern genres without losing its actual identity then you need look no further than Afrobeats.Afrobeats is the sound of young Africa which is growing in popularity through out the UK and the world. The genres name stems Nigeria's Afrobeat which was made popular by Fela Kuti and Tony Allen in the 70's.

From the streets of Accra to the clubs in Abuja, shops in South Africa to the public transport in Kenya comes a new genre of music that is thumping in clubs worldwide - Afrobeats.

If you like music that is different, unique, organic yet modern, with no boundaries, energetic and fused with modern genres without losing its actual identity then you need look no further than Afrobeats.

Afrobeats is the sound of young Africa which is growing in popularity through out the UK and the world. The genres name stems from Nigeria's Afrobeat which was made popular by Fela Kuti and Tony Allen in the 70s.

Now we have a young generation of artists not scared to make some fresh new music that has made them superstars with an even bigger fanbase following the likes of Wizkid, 2face, D'banj, P-Square, V.I.P, R2bees, Dj Cleo, HHP, Nameless, Chameleone, K'naan, Cabo Snoop, K'millian, Gal Level, Winky D, Nneka & Kaysha just to name but a few who are household names in and out of Africa with music being played worldwide as well as selling out concerts and fuelilng the clubbing scene week in week out.

BBC Radio 1Xtra has been at the forefront of showcasing Afrobeats since its inception almost 10 years ago, being the only station to have supported African music on a national platform here in the UK.

Destination Africa is the flagship Afrobeats show on 1Xtra from 10pm-1am every Sunday.

To celebrate the rise and rise of Afrobeats in the UK, 1Xtra is dedicating a whole week to Afrobeats on 1Xtra, starting 7 May 2012, which will be an Afrobeats Day with music on the day from Africa - inspired by the motherland. There will also be a special show hosted by myself and my co host D'banj who has just signed to Kanye West's label GOOD Music, about to release his much anticipated anthem Oliver Twist and also grace the stage with his hits at this years Radio 1's Hackney Weekend 2012.

1Xtra will also feature current trends in fashion and dance which go hand in hand with Afrobeats. Like in Ghana where the craze is the Azonto, an expressive dance that is getting major attention everywhere. I will attempt to teach, learn more about the dance too and share video on the 1Xtra website - it's not to be missed.

Afrobeats is indeed the next big thing and 1Xtra has always been investing, supporting and never scared to take risks when it comes to breaking new genres, artists and trends before any other platform and this is but a continuation of that legacy.

So tune into BBC Radio 1Xtra on your mobile, digital TV, radio and online for Afrobeats week commencing bank holiday Monday 7 May 2012 and experience the new sound of young Africa.

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